Juventus director breaks silence on transfer interest in Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva

Juventus director breaks silence on transfer interest in Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva

• Juventus director Damien Comolli drops public hint over Bernardo Silva interest
• Comolli insists no player they’ve spoken to has demanded UCL football as a condition
• Silva set to leave Man City as free agent in June, several top European clubs in the race

Juventus sporting director Damien Comolli has publicly hinted at the Serie A club’s interest in Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva.

Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City as a free agent in June, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano having confirmed his departure as a certainty in recent weeks.

The 31-year-old has been the subject of widespread interest across Europe, with Barcelona, PSG and Juventus among the clubs to have made contact with his agent Jorge Mendes as the race for his signature gathers pace.

From Italy: Juventus make formal Jorge Mendes contact for Bernardo Silva transfer

Juventus were reported to have made formal contact with Mendes over a potential switch to Turin, with the Italian side facing stiff competition from Barcelona – the club Silva has long favoured as his preferred next destination.

Comolli: Juve always has the allure of attracting champions

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport at a Juventus event on Monday, Comolli was asked directly about Silva could not resist offering a revealing response.

“Bernardo Silva and (Liverpool’s) Alisson? I won’t name names (smiles). But yes, Juve always has the allure of attracting champions,” Comolli said, as relayed by Sport Witness.

“What’s surprised me so far is that no player we’ve spoken to has said, ‘I’ll only come if you reach the Champions League.’ Players want to come to Juventus because it’s Juventus.”

Pressed further on the City captain specifically, Comolli expanded on the profile of player Juventus are targeting this summer. “I hold him (Silva) up as a good example but even he hadn’t won much before joining City,” the Frenchman added.

“We’re not necessarily looking for players who have won or are necessarily free agents but rather men with the personality to succeed and who can help younger players become winners.”

Manchester City Transfer Tracker: Live Updates on Signings, Contracts and Loans

What does this mean for Silva’s summer?

Comolli’s comments add further intrigue to what is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive pursuits of the summer window. Silva’s free agent status has attracted contact from both PSG and Barcelona in recent weeks, with both clubs understood to have held preliminary discussions over potential wages and a signing-on fee.

The nine-year City skipper leaves behind a remarkable legacy at the Etihad Stadium, one that includes six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League and a historic domestic treble – and will have no shortage of prestigious options when the summer window opens.

Juventus’ pitch is an ambitious one given their current absence from Europe’s premier club competition. However, Comolli’s public display of interest and his barely-concealed smile at the mere mention of Silva’s name – suggests the Old Lady are serious about making a move.

Whether the lure of Turin is enough to pip Barcelona and PSG for one of the most coveted free agents in European football this summer remains to be seen.